Calgary Royals
Encyclopedia
The Calgary Mustangs are a junior A ice hockey
team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League
(AJHL). They play in Calgary
, Alberta
, Canada
at the Father David Bauer Olympic Arena
, capacity 1800. They were known as the Calgary Royals from 1990 until 2010.
, playing out of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
. The Red Devils franchise lasted four years before relocating to the nearby community of Pincher Creek
to become the Pincher Creek Panthers
. The franchise lasted only two seasons in Pincher Creek before relocating to Calgary to become the Calgary Chinooks. In 1979-80, under a new ownership group, the Chinooks became the Calgary Spurs
.
Following the 1989-90 season, the Spurs ceased operations, leaving the AJHL with just seven franchises. Sensing the need for two Calgary based franchises (along with the Calgary Canucks
), four local businessmen purchased a new franchise and named it the Calgary Jr. "A" Royals with the mandate of providing Calgary and area kids with the opportunity to combine a high level of hockey with a quality education.
The Royals were immediately successful, finishing second in the regular season standings, behind the Fort Saskatchewan Traders
and winning the league championship in their first season. The Royals have been unable to duplicate that success, as the team has failed to make it past the second round of the playoffs since winning the title.
Faced with the challenges of sharing a market with the National Hockey League
, Western Hockey League
and another AJHL team, the Royals have persevered through the dedication of its corporate partners and many volunteers. Seeking to distinguish itself from the city's minor hockey program of the same name, the franchise renamed itself the Mustangs prior to the 2010–11 season.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League
Alberta Junior Hockey League
The Alberta Junior Hockey League is an Alberta-based Junior A hockey league that belongs to the Canadian Junior Hockey League . It was formed as a five-team league in 1964. There are currently 16 teams in the league. The regular season league champions receive the Dave Duchak Trophy...
(AJHL). They play in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
at the Father David Bauer Olympic Arena
Father David Bauer Olympic Arena
The Father David Bauer Olympic Arena is an ice hockey arena in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It seats about 1,750 for hockey with a standing room capacity of over 2,000...
, capacity 1800. They were known as the Calgary Royals from 1990 until 2010.
History
The Calgary Jr. "A" Royals were born in 1972-73 as The Pass Red DevilsThe Pass Red Devils
The Pass Red Devils were a Junior A ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League that played in the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta from 1972-76. The team relocated to nearby Pincher Creek for two years before settling in Calgary as the Calgary Spurs...
, playing out of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass is a specialized municipality located in the Crowsnest Pass of the Rocky Mountains in southwest Alberta, Canada. The municipality formed as a result of the amalgamation of five municipalities – the Village of Bellevue, the Town of Blairmore, Town of Coleman, the...
. The Red Devils franchise lasted four years before relocating to the nearby community of Pincher Creek
Pincher Creek, Alberta
Pincher Creek is a town in the southwest of Alberta, Canada. It is located immediately east of the Canadian Rockies in the centre of ranching country, north of Waterton Lakes National Park.The town's mayor is Ernie Olsen.- History :...
to become the Pincher Creek Panthers
Pincher Creek Panthers
The Pincher Creek Panthers were a Junior A ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League from Pincher Creek, Alberta. Founded in 1972 as The Pass Red Devils, the team relocated to Pincher Creek for the 1976-77 season. The Panthers lasted only two years before relocating again to Calgary to...
. The franchise lasted only two seasons in Pincher Creek before relocating to Calgary to become the Calgary Chinooks. In 1979-80, under a new ownership group, the Chinooks became the Calgary Spurs
Calgary Spurs
The Calgary Spurs were a Junior A ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Founded in 1972 as The Pass Red Devils and following a two year stop as the Pincher Creek Panthers, the franchise became the second AJHL franchise in Calgary in 1978 as the Calgary Chinooks...
.
Following the 1989-90 season, the Spurs ceased operations, leaving the AJHL with just seven franchises. Sensing the need for two Calgary based franchises (along with the Calgary Canucks
Calgary Canucks
The Calgary Canucks are a junior ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at the Max Bell Centre, capacity 3500....
), four local businessmen purchased a new franchise and named it the Calgary Jr. "A" Royals with the mandate of providing Calgary and area kids with the opportunity to combine a high level of hockey with a quality education.
The Royals were immediately successful, finishing second in the regular season standings, behind the Fort Saskatchewan Traders
Fort Saskatchewan Traders
The Fort Saskatchewan Traders were an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They played in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada at the Jubilee Recreation Centre, capacity 2000....
and winning the league championship in their first season. The Royals have been unable to duplicate that success, as the team has failed to make it past the second round of the playoffs since winning the title.
Faced with the challenges of sharing a market with the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
, Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
and another AJHL team, the Royals have persevered through the dedication of its corporate partners and many volunteers. Seeking to distinguish itself from the city's minor hockey program of the same name, the franchise renamed itself the Mustangs prior to the 2010–11 season.
Season-by-season record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T/OTL = Ties/Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against| Season | GP | W | L | T/OTL | SOL | Points | GF | GA | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1990-91 | 60 | 34 | 18 | 4 | - | 72 | 247 | 179 | 2nd Overall | Won championship |
| 1991-92 | 60 | 40 | 19 | - | 1 | 81 | 346 | 252 | 2nd Overall | Lost in first round |
| 1992-93 | 56 | 28 | 27 | - | 1 | 57 | 208 | 208 | 6th Overall | Lost in first round |
| 1993-94 | 57 | 26 | 27 | - | 3 | 55 | 200 | 238 | 6th Overall | Lost in first round |
| 1994-95 | 56 | 25 | 30 | - | 1 | 51 | 234 | 252 | 6th Overall | Lost in first round |
| 1995-96 | 60 | 23 | 33 | - | 4 | 50 | 203 | 244 | 8th Overall | Lost in first round |
| 1996-97 | 60 | 17 | 40 | - | 3 | 37 | 175 | 262 | 11th Overall | Did not qualify |
| 1997-98 | 60 | 24 | 32 | - | 4 | 52 | 196 | 235 | 9th Overall | Lost in first round |
| 1998-99 | 62 | 39 | 21 | - | 2 | 80 | 320 | 243 | 2nd South | Lost in first round |
| 1999-00 | 64 | 29 | 30 | - | 5 | 63 | 255 | 253 | 4th South | Lost in first round |
| 2000-01 | 64 | 25 | 33 | 6 | - | 56 | 280 | 328 | 6th South | Lost in second round |
| 2001-02 | 64 | 32 | 29 | 3 | - | 67 | 228 | 232 | 4th South | Lost in second round |
| 2002-03 | 64 | 36 | 25 | 3 | - | 75 | 246 | 217 | 4th South | Lost in first round |
| 2003-04 | 60 | 34 | 23 | 3 | - | 71 | 231 | 173 | 4th South | Lost in second round |
| 2004-05 | 64 | 27 | 32 | 5 | - | 59 | 207 | 237 | 5th South | Lost in first round |
| 2005-06 | 60 | 16 | 38 | 6 | - | 71 | 231 | 173 | 8th South | Did not qualify |
| 2006-07 | 60 | 30 | 30 | 0 | - | 60 | 184 | 209 | 5th South | Lost in first round |
| 2007-08 | 62 | 19 | 41 | 2 | - | 40 | 148 | 230 | 8th South | Did not qualify |
| 2008-09 | 62 | 8 | 48 | 6 | - | 22 | 158 | 300 | 8th South | Did not qualify |
| 2009-10 | 60 | 21 | 29 | 10 | - | 52 | 213 | 255 | 7th South | Lost in first round |
| 2010-11 | 60 | 28 | 31 | 1 | - | 57 | 202 | 235 | 4th South | Lost in second round |
Playoffs
- 1991 Won League, Lost Doyle CupDoyle CupThe Doyle Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won through a best-of-7 series, conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The series is played between the Fred Page Cup champions of the British Columbia Hockey League and the Enerflex Cup champions of the Alberta Junior Hockey League...
- Calgary Royals defeated Calgary CanucksCalgary CanucksThe Calgary Canucks are a junior ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at the Max Bell Centre, capacity 3500....
4-games-to-none - Calgary Royals defeated Fort McMurray Oil BaronsFort McMurray Oil BaronsThe Fort McMurray Oil Barons are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada at the Thickwood Heights Arena, capacity 2300....
4-games-to-none - Calgary Royals defeated Fort Saskatchewan TradersFort Saskatchewan TradersThe Fort Saskatchewan Traders were an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They played in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada at the Jubilee Recreation Centre, capacity 2000....
4-games-to-2 AJHL CHAMPIONS - Vernon Lakers (BCHL) defeated Calgary Royals 4-games-to-1
- 1992 Lost Quarter-final
- Lloydminster Blazers defeated Calgary Royals 4-games-to-2
- 1993 Lost Quarter-final
- Olds GrizzlysOlds GrizzlysThe Olds Grizzlys are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Olds, Alberta, Canada at the Olds & District Sports Complex, capacity 2200.The Grizzlys enjoyed a dynasty in the mid 1990s that culminated in a Centennial Cup title as national champions, won on home ice, in...
defeated Calgary Royals 5-games-to-none- 1994 Lost Quarter-final
- Olds GrizzlysOlds GrizzlysThe Olds Grizzlys are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Olds, Alberta, Canada at the Olds & District Sports Complex, capacity 2200.The Grizzlys enjoyed a dynasty in the mid 1990s that culminated in a Centennial Cup title as national champions, won on home ice, in...
defeated Calgary Royals 4-games-to-none- 1995 Lost Quarter-final
- Fort McMurray Oil BaronsFort McMurray Oil BaronsThe Fort McMurray Oil Barons are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada at the Thickwood Heights Arena, capacity 2300....
defeated Calgary Royals 4-games-to-1- 1996 Lost Quarter-final
- Calgary CanucksCalgary CanucksThe Calgary Canucks are a junior ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at the Max Bell Centre, capacity 3500....
defeated Calgary Royals 4-games-to-1- 1997 DNQ
- 1998 DNQ
- 1999 Lost Quarter-final
- Olds GrizzlysOlds GrizzlysThe Olds Grizzlys are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Olds, Alberta, Canada at the Olds & District Sports Complex, capacity 2200.The Grizzlys enjoyed a dynasty in the mid 1990s that culminated in a Centennial Cup title as national champions, won on home ice, in...
defeated Calgary Royals 4-games-to-none- 2000 Lost Preliminary
- Bow Valley Eagles defeated Calgary Royals 3-games-to-none
- 2001 Lost Quarter-final
- Calgary Royals defeated Calgary CanucksCalgary CanucksThe Calgary Canucks are a junior ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at the Max Bell Centre, capacity 3500....
3-games-to-1 - Camrose KodiaksCamrose KodiaksThe Camrose Kodiaks are a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Camrose, Alberta, Canada at the Edgeworth Centre's Encana Arena, capacity 2500+....
defeated Calgary Royals 4-games-to-2- 2002 Lost Quarter-final
- Calgary Royals defeated Calgary CanucksCalgary CanucksThe Calgary Canucks are a junior ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at the Max Bell Centre, capacity 3500....
3-games-to-2 - Canmore EaglesCanmore EaglesThe Canmore Eagles are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Canmore, Alberta, Canada at the Canmore Recreation Centre, capacity 1000.-Season-by-season record:...
defeated Calgary Royals 4-games-to-3- 2003 Lost Preliminary
- Olds GrizzlysOlds GrizzlysThe Olds Grizzlys are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Olds, Alberta, Canada at the Olds & District Sports Complex, capacity 2200.The Grizzlys enjoyed a dynasty in the mid 1990s that culminated in a Centennial Cup title as national champions, won on home ice, in...
defeated Calgary Royals 4-games-to-1- 2004 Lost Quarter-final
- Calgary Royals defeated Canmore EaglesCanmore EaglesThe Canmore Eagles are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Canmore, Alberta, Canada at the Canmore Recreation Centre, capacity 1000.-Season-by-season record:...
3-games-to-none - Camrose KodiaksCamrose KodiaksThe Camrose Kodiaks are a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Camrose, Alberta, Canada at the Edgeworth Centre's Encana Arena, capacity 2500+....
defeated Calgary Royals 4-games-to-1- 2005 Lost Preliminary
- Canmore EaglesCanmore EaglesThe Canmore Eagles are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Canmore, Alberta, Canada at the Canmore Recreation Centre, capacity 1000.-Season-by-season record:...
defeated Calgary Royals 3-games-to-none- 2006 DNQ
- 2007 Lost Preliminary
- Brooks BanditsBrooks BanditsThe Brooks Bandits are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Brooks, Alberta at the Centennial Regional Arena, capacity 1,704....
defeated Calgary Royals 3-games-to-1- 2008 DNQ
- 2009 DNQ
- 2010 Lost Preliminary
- Camrose KodiaksCamrose KodiaksThe Camrose Kodiaks are a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Camrose, Alberta, Canada at the Edgeworth Centre's Encana Arena, capacity 2500+....
defeated Calgary Royals 3-games-to-2- 2011 Lost Quarter-final
- Calgary Mustangs defeated Olds GrizzlysOlds GrizzlysThe Olds Grizzlys are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Olds, Alberta, Canada at the Olds & District Sports Complex, capacity 2200.The Grizzlys enjoyed a dynasty in the mid 1990s that culminated in a Centennial Cup title as national champions, won on home ice, in...
3-games-to-none - Okotoks OilersOkotoks OilersThe Okotoks Oilers are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Okotoks, Alberta, Canada at the Foothills Centennial Arena....
defeated Calgary Mustangs 4-games-to-none
NHL alumni
Some of the players that played on the Royals that went on to play in the NHL include:- T. J. GaliardiT. J. GaliardiTerry Joseph Galiardi is a Canadian-American professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche in the National Hockey League.-Early years:...
- Cale HulseCale HulseCale D. Hulse is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League. He was a defenceman.-Playing career:...
- Krystofer KolanosKrystofer KolanosKrystofer Stanley Kolanos is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who plays for the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League .-Playing career:...
- Tyler SloanTyler SloanTyler Sloan is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman in the Nashville Predators organization in the National Hockey League...
- Jay BeagleJay BeagleJay Beagle is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:Beagle played for the Calgary Royals of the AJHL in 2003–04 and 2004–05...
See also
- List of ice hockey teams in Alberta
- Ice hockey in CalgaryIce hockey in CalgaryThe history of ice hockey in Calgary extends back well over a century to the first recorded ice hockey game in Alberta in 1893. Imported from eastern Canada, the game's popularity rapidly grew in the city, with teams at every level playing for and capturing Canada's national championships...
- Calgary Buffaloes (AJHL)Calgary Buffaloes (AJHL)The Calgary Buffaloes were a Junior A ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League based out of Calgary, Alberta. They were one of the five founding members of the AJHL in 1963....
- Calgary Cowboys (AJHL)Calgary Cowboys (AJHL)The Calgary Cowboys were a Junior A ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League based out of Calgary, Alberta. They were one of the five founding members of the AJHL in 1963...